I should have been more specific. This offseason was basically a power struggle -- Flip vs. Ben, offensive identity vs. defensive identity. Regardless of who's in the lineup and who's coaching, Joe, IMO, took the obivously and frighteningly wrong side.

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As much as I dislike flip, I don't think it was necessarily the wrong side. Big ben would be the centerpiece of a defensive minded team but if he's going to decline as rapidly as some people anticipate AND we are going to see rules changes that negate defensive effort, the flip path may be the lesser of two evils.

It counts for something...the dubious distinction of a great reg season coach and a weak post season result. What did the team accomplish? Bench development. Nope. Team cohesiveness. Nope. Championship? Nope. Inspiring play? In the beginning and then nope.

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No argument from me. Like I said, I'm no Flip supporter.

If he still sucks after a month or two, then I'm not against a mid season coaching change. But I think he (or anyone in the same position) deserves at least part of this season to prove that he has learned from his mistakes.

Personally, I'm not so sure that he has. But I'm willing to give him a very small opportunity to prove me wrong.

As much as I dislike flip, I don't think it was necessarily the wrong side. Big ben would be the centerpiece of a defensive minded team but if he's going to decline as rapidly as some people anticipate AND we are going to see rules changes that negate defensive effort, the flip path may be the lesser of two evils.

I'm the farthest thing from a Flip supporter, but it has been only 1 season and we did finish with the best regular season record in franchise history.

To me, that has to count for something. Namely, a second chance (season) to get it right.

I don't know if he will get it right, but he should at least be given the chance.

Short of Flip killing someone, there was no way that Joe could fire the guy after 1 season - a winning one at that, despite the playoff collapse. Joe has already proven - with Carlisle and LB - that he isn't afraid to fire his coach.

Just IMO, but I don't think the rules changes are a justification for changing the focus of the team. This isn't the first time a sports league has changed the rules in order to create more offensive excitement, yet still, defense remains the best route to a ring.

Just IMO, but I don't think the rules changes are a justification for changing the focus of the team. This isn't the first time a sports league has changed the rules in order to create more offensive excitement, yet still, defense remains the best route to a ring.

Just ask the Heat who played intense, intimidating, knock shots back in your face kind of defense and shut down two pretty good offensive teams in the ECF and Finals. Yeah, maybe they got some help on the offensive end with a lot of foul calls, but they won because they took away easy baskets.

That certainly makes sense from a tactical standpoint. But for Flip to say that it must be done in order to beat Shaq is pretty stupid -- the Pistons did it two years in a row with Ben. From what he's said publicly, Flip is mistaking his way for the only way, when that's obviously not the case.

It seems like this Flip failure is gonna stay... I'm not sure how many folks hit their new job making a sudden impact... is it even possible that Flip needs some time to make necessary adjustments? Did he make a mistake on Delfino vs. Mo?... if he did it wasn't a major one.

Darko not playing enough... well that's a can of worms... I wanted him to be given a chance to show something also... what we don't know is if he tanked it to force a trade... there could be a stong case made for this based on his lack of effort.

Did he not play Ben the way that Ben should have been?... hmm tough call... how should Ben have been played exactly?

Lack of defense?... proof of failure vs previous years?

It must be the offense... ummm yeah ok

Sure enough Flip made mistakes... (good thing other coaches don't)

Why are we ready to say he should be fired after one year?... it seems to be unfair to not give him a chance to redeem whatever evils that he has done... I'd like to trade in my 16 year old son sometimes but forgiving is in the blood.

Is there no chance that the players contributed to not making the finals?... naw how could that be.

One more positive. He gave Sidney Lowe and Don Zierden the opportunity to become bonafide Detroit Pistons Hallway Coaches joining such luminaries as Kevin O'Neill, Mike Woodson, and Garfield Heard.

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I've seen several jokes about the "hallway coaches" over the last few months, but somehow I missed where it originated. I don't get it. Can somebody fill me in on what a "hallway" coach is? I'm guessing it's someone who does nothing...but why a "hallway" coach?